Mr Albanese has defended the party's primary vote of around 36 per cent, insisting it is a three-point improvement on the last federal election.

He also slapped down outspoken Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon for suggesting the party has gone backwards and the clock is ticking.

"Well he's wrong," Mr Albanese told ABC radio on Thursday.

"He sits on the backbench. He's just wrong. The fact is we've gone forward since the last election."

Mr Albanese brushed off questions about whether potential leadership rival Tanya Plibersek would do a good job in the role.

"Tanya Plibersek has the job she wants, which is the shadow education minister, and she's doing a terrific job as is the rest of my team."

He believes Labor is within striking distance of winning the next election, pursuing a formula of holding the government to account and prosecuting an alternative plan.

"I am very confident we will be successful whenever the election is called," Mr Albanese said.

Australian Associated Press